MAJOR LANDFORMS OF THE EARTH

Q1. What are the three main landforms of the Earth? Ans: The three main landforms of the Earth are mountains, plateaus and plains.

Q2--What are the processes responsible for the formation of landforms?Ans – Endogenic or Internal process –Uplifting and sinking of the earths Surface.The tectonic plates collide against each other resulting in Slow motion mountains such as Himalayas. Exogenic or External process – They takes place outside the earth Surface. These are of two types- EROSION---wearing away of earth’s surface DEPOSITION ---rebuilding of earth’s surface with the eroded sediments.

Q3. What are mountains?

Ans-Mountain is a large landform that stretches above the surrounding land in a limited area usually in the form of a peak. A mountain is generally steeper than a hill.

Q4-Why are mountains important to us? Ans: Mountains are important to us because:- In India, the Himalayan Mountains act as a barrier and prevent the icy cold

winds of the north from entering the country. So this affects our climate and makes it warm.

Mountains are also a source of minerals.

Mountains are beautiful spots that attract tourists and thus, provide jobs to people and also earn revenue.

The mountains are a storehouse of water as many rivers have their source in the glaciers.

Water from the mountains is also used for the irrigation and generation of hydroelectricity.

The river valley and terraces are ideal for cultivation of crops. Mountains have rich variety of flora and fauna. The forest provide fuel fodder shelter and other products

Q5—What are the different types of mountains?Ans –There are three types of mountains FOLD MOUNTAINS---Fold mountains are formed when the earth tecto

-nic plates collide. The land in between is pushed up due to pressure to Form a fold mountains. A wave-like formation results. The upfold Anticline is the fold mountain. The downfold or syncline is the valley.

BLOCK MOUNTAINS –They are formed when large areas are broken and displaced vertically. The uplifted blocks are termed as Horsts and the lowered blocks are called Graben . The Rhine valley and the Vosages mountains in Europe are some examples.

VOLCANIC MOUNTAINS ---They are formed due to volcanic activity .MT Kilimanjaro in Africa and MT Fujiyama in Japan are some example.

Q6-How are most of the plains formed ?Ans –Most of the plains of the world are formed by the process of deposition by rivers and its Tributaries .The river flow down the slopes of mountains and erode them they deposits the load of stones, sand and silt along their course and in their valleys .It is from these deposits `plains are formed.

Q7-Why do most people live on plains? Ans: Most people live on plains because: Water – an important resources for humans, agriculture, and industry – is easily available in the plains.

The level land helps in building houses, roads, and railways. The rivers too can be used for transportation.

Plains generally have fertile soil suitable for agriculture. Besides, the flat land is easily cultivable.

Q8) How do we know that there is movement under the land surface? Ans-Plate tectonics is a scientific theory that describes the large-scale motion of Earths lithosphere. Where plates meet, their relative motion determines the type of boundary; convergent, divergent, or transform.  Earthquakes, volcanic activity, mountain-building, and oceanic trench formation occur along these plate boundaries.  The formation of these landforms and occurrence of these processes suggest that there is a movement under the earth surface. The example is- Endogenic process: Internal forces which act suddenly on the surface of the Earth. Eg : Volcanoes and Earthquakes.

-Q9--What are the importance of Plains ?Ans –1)-They are fertile level land good for agriculture and irrigation.

2) They are known as FOOD BOWL because of the number of Crops provided. 3) Construction of transport network is easy 4) Easy for the construction of houses, buildings etc

Q10) Define Plateau.Ans- Plateau is vast area of flat elevated land that is generally bounded by steep slopes or scarps. Plateaus are generally formed by volcanic eruption known as lava plateaus eg; Deccan plateaus,Tibet plateaus, Chhotanagpur plateau.

Q11) Mention the significance of plateaus? Ans- Plateaus have important natural resources. Most plateaus are rich in

minerals. The Chota Nagpur Plateau in India is rich in coal, mica, iron ore, and other minerals.

Many plateau regions are suitable for cultivation. For example, the Deccan Plateau contains black soil, which is excellent for the cultivation of cotton.

Often plateaus are places of tourist interest, especially where waterfalls are found on their steep slopes. Example-Sivasamudram falls in the Deccan Plateau.

The waterfalls on these plateaus are often used for hydroelectric power. Example- Jog falls in India.

Q12) What is an earthquake? Ans: An earthquake is a shaking of the ground caused by the sudden breaking and movement of large sections (tectonic plates) of the earth's rocky outermost crust.

Q13) . Differentiate between:

Mountains PlateausMountain is a large landform that stretches above the surrounding land in a limited area usually in the form of a peak.

Plateau is vast area of flat elevated land that is generally bounded by steep slopes or scarp.